Christians shouldn't own Lexuses

[Bigphilly82]

Jesus says in Matthew 6 that we shouldn't build up treasure for ourselves on earth. Everyday 30,000 children die from poverty related causes. If a Christian buys a 40,000 dollar Lexus instead of a 20,000 dollar car, that is 20,000 extra dollars spent on the luxury of car, when the money could be better used to save the lives of our dying brothers and sisters in other parts of the world. Here are 2 simple scriptural proofs for the truth of my claim:

1.
Jesus said, "when you did it not for the least of my brothers, you did it not for me"
If Jesus were starving to death would a Christian sell their 40,000 dollar Lexus and choose a simpler car instead in order to buy Jesus some food so he could survie? If yes, then why don't we do it for others who are starving to death?

2.
The bible says the love of money is the root of all evil. The bible also says that if we don't love others than we don't love Christ. If as Christians we believe these two statements in the Bible, how can we keep spending money to buy ourselves luxuries(if we don't love the money), and not spend the money to save those who are dying from poverty(who we supposedly love)?

I conclude that most Christians don't want to think about or follow what Jesus and the Bible teaches about wealth. It is a hard teaching to follow and the world tells us that we should make as much money for ourselves as possible. This wordly wisdom is foolishness in the eyes of God, true happiness and contentment are to be found in Him alone, and we should be good stewards of the wealth God has given us, using it to save others before we use it on luxuries for ourselves.

[McCulloch]

If your conscience allows you to drive a Rolls Royce, it is okay, it is not a sin per se.

So individual conscience is the rule of what is right or wrong rather than Jesus' own words?

Which words are you referring to? Let me see it in context.

I was speaking in generalities. In a conflict between conscience and Jesus' instruction, which wins? If Jesus, then you should have said, "If your conscience allows you to purchase a Rolls Royce and Jesus teaches that it is OK, then it is allowable. "

Does Jesus teach that opulence and an excessive show of wealth is a good thing?

[olavisjo]

I was speaking in generalities. In a conflict between conscience and Jesus' instruction, which wins? If Jesus, then you should have said, "If your conscience allows you to purchase a Rolls Royce and Jesus teaches that it is OK, then it is allowable. "

Does Jesus teach that opulence and an excessive show of wealth is a good thing?

There are commandments and there are suggestions. Thou shalt not murder, is a commandment, yet I can kill men who are coming across the border of my county with the intent of taking it.
Many things that Jesus asked us to do was for our benefit, if you give you will receive, is for our benefit.
It is okay to have wealth, but it is not good for us if our wealth has us.
Jesus' death allowed God to give us the Holy Spirit, to live in us, and when he is come he will teach us all things so that we no longer need anyone to teach us right from wrong, the Spirit inside us would teach us all that we need to know.

[McCulloch]

There are commandments and there are suggestions. Thou shalt not murder, is a commandment, yet I can kill men who are coming across the border of my county with the intent of taking it.
Many things that Jesus asked us to do was for our benefit, if you give you will receive, is for our benefit.
It is okay to have wealth, but it is not good for us if our wealth has us.
Jesus' death allowed God to give us the Holy Spirit, to live in us, and when he is come he will teach us all things so that we no longer need anyone to teach us right from wrong, the Spirit inside us would teach us all that we need to know.

That has not worked very well so far. How many different Spirit led versions of Christianity are there? Do you think that the Spirit would direct believers in a way that is different from what Jesus taught? Have you read what Jesus taught about wealth?

[olavisjo]

That has not worked very well so far. How many different Spirit led versions of Christianity are there? Do you think that the Spirit would direct believers in a way that is different from what Jesus taught? Have you read what Jesus taught about wealth?

Every Christian has his own version of Christianity, but it should be in harmony with the bible, and what Jesus taught.
I believe that Jesus taught that pursuing wealth is a foolish thing to do, a waste of precious time, energy and opportunity. You are only hurting yourself with such a pursuit.

[McCulloch]

That has not worked very well so far. How many different Spirit led versions of Christianity are there? Do you think that the Spirit would direct believers in a way that is different from what Jesus taught?

Every Christian has his own version of Christianity, but it should be in harmony with the bible, and what Jesus taught.

In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love. Eh?

Have you read what Jesus taught about wealth?

I believe that Jesus taught that pursuing wealth is a foolish thing to do, a waste of precious time, energy and opportunity. You are only hurting yourself with such a pursuit.

This is not what Jesus taught. He taught that wealth was more than foolish or a waste of time. He taught that it was eternally dangerous.

Sell your possessions and give to charity; make yourselves money belts which do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near nor moth destroys.

Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, "How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!"
The disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other You cannot serve God and wealth.

"And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

And Jesus said to His disciples, "Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

"But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full.

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.

[Fallibleone]

I think you'll find that it was your friend who provided you with the Lexus.

I think that it was God who provided me with such a friend, who is worth far more to me than that silly car.

But we are talking about the car, which you claimed that God provided you with.

I give birth to a daughter. My daughter gives you a book. Who provided you with the book, me or my daughter?

I have to admit here to an annoyance I have with Christianity, namely that ultimately, no human can ever be given credit no matter what good they may do, because it was God who made them. Suddenly free will evaporates. Humans are simply 'dirt', using the term provided by a theist on this board. I find that depressing.

[olavisjo]

In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love. Eh?

You must be Canadjan, eh?
But I like that, who said it?

This is not what Jesus taught. He taught that wealth was more than foolish or a waste of time. He taught that it was eternally dangerous.

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

You are right, if a man gives his life to just pursuing wealth and never settles maters with God, then his end is less than unpleasant. This is not just for wealth but all sins that men find themselves pursuing. It is possible for a man to be saved and go back into a life of sin, he will be saved, but it will be by going through a fire.
Jesus did also talk about stewardship, there are good Christians who have great amounts of wealth, but they have dedicated this wealth for good works and not to satisfy their own greed and lust, this is acceptable to God.
Just yesterday I saw a big truck and on the cab was written "This truck is owned by the Lord Jesus Christ and operated by John and Jane Smith".
God does not look at the outward appearance of things, he looks at the heart, that is why we have been forbidden to judge others, we don't see the state of a persons heart.

[McCulloch]

In Essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, love. Eh?

You must be Canadjan, eh?

Yup.

But I like that, who said it?

There is some argument over that but I can find sources claiming Augustine, Rupertus Meldenius, Gregor Frank, John Wesley, Thomas a Kempis and Anne Baxter.

You are right, if a man gives his life to just pursuing wealth and never settles matters with God, then his end is less than unpleasant. This is not just for wealth but all sins that men find themselves pursuing. It is possible for a man to be saved and go back into a life of sin, he will be saved, but it will be by going through a fire.
Jesus did also talk about stewardship, there are good Christians who have great amounts of wealth, but they have dedicated this wealth for good works and not to satisfy their own greed and lust, this is acceptable to God.
Just yesterday I saw a big truck and on the cab was written "This truck is owned by the Lord Jesus Christ and operated by John and Jane Smith".
God does not look at the outward appearance of things, he looks at the heart, that is why we have been forbidden to judge others, we don't see the state of a persons heart.

Forgive me if I suspect that in many cases this is a sleight of hand. "Jesus owns my new Lexus LS 600h L, starting at $125,400.00, the all-new 2008 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan establishes an entirely new vision of automotive engineering. Unprecedented in every sense – power, performance, refinement and technology – the all-wheel drive, long-wheelbase LS 600h L is the ultimate expression of Lexus luxury. "

[olavisjo]

Forgive me if I suspect that in many cases this is a sleight of hand. "Jesus owns my new Lexus LS 600h L, starting at $125,400.00, the all-new 2008 LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan establishes an entirely new vision of automotive engineering. Unprecedented in every sense – power, performance, refinement and technology – the all-wheel drive, long-wheelbase LS 600h L is the ultimate expression of Lexus luxury. "

You only need to answer to God for that one, I will never condemn you.
If your ministry has need for one of those, then God bless you.